Stone Roses Officially Back Together

The British alternative rock band’s reunited lineup features singer Ian Brown, guitarist John Squire, bassist Gary “Mani” Mounfield and drummer Alan “Reni” Wren. Reuters noted that all four members attended the press conference in London.

The Stone Roses formed in Manchester, England, in 1983 and released its debut, self-titled album in 1989. The group’s second album, Second Coming, was released in 1994. Two years later the band broke up following Squire’s departure in 1996. Reni had quit the band in 1995. 

The first reunion dates are set for June 29-30 in Manchester at Heaton Park. An announcement on the band’s website promises that there are more shows to come as “the dates will form part of an extensive world tour.”

During the press conference Squire pointed to Mani’s mother’s funeral as the event that brought the band back together.

“Everything changed when me and Ian started seeing each other again,” Squire said, according to Reuters. “It was surreal. We went from crying and laughing about the old days to writing songs in a heartbeat.

“I think it’s in some ways a friendship that defines us both and it needed fixing and two phone calls later the band was no longer dead.”

And how long will the reunion last?

Brown said, “We will ride it as long as we can,” according to BBC News.  Reni said he “would be happy with 12 months.”

Brown is putting his solo career on hold during The Stone Roses’ reunion and Mani is giving up his spot in Primal Scream’s lineup to “follow his dream.”

As far as the band’s plans for a third album, Brown said fans will have to wait and see. 

“We hope so, but we said that before didn’t we,” he said, according to Reuters.

Tickets for the Heaton Park shows go on sale Friday.

For more information click here for The Stone Roses’ website.    

Click here for the Reuters story.

Click here for the story from BBC News.